Clio Rally 4 test. Renault Sport is not dead!

During the test of the Clio Rally 4, we discovered its price, its technical sheet and its differences compared to the Clio Rally 5.

Officially replaced by Alpine Racing, the Renault Sport entity continues to develop racing cars derived from the series. Including this new and exciting Clio Rally 4, which extracts 215 hp from its 1.3 turbo and limits its weight to 1,080 kg. Experience.

Chance or explanation? When the small French sports cars sadly desert the catalogs, the models cut for the race multiply. Without even mentioning the single-seaters of the queen categories (Alpine in Formula 1 and in the World Endurance Championship, DS in Formula E), each brand markets its little moth intended for customer competition: C3 Rally 2 at Citroën, 208 Rally 4 at Peugeot, Clio Rally 5 at Renault.

Launched at the end of 2019, this nice Clio of 180 hp for 1,080 kg has already sold 250 units thanks to a well-placed call price and to a versatility unheard of in the racing world (the same car can race in rally , circuit or rallycross without major modifications). A mix of genres more really considered by the big sister Clio Rally 4, developed only for rallying and whose technical sheet appears much more radical …

What is the Clio Rally 4?

If the curved body, the engine block and the gearbox housing are common between the Clio Rally 5 and Rally 4, the latter multiplies the specific elements. The 1.3 TCe strengthens pistons, connecting rods, bearings and camshafts to handle the power increased from 180 to 215 hp. The torque ranges from 320 to 350 Nm, limited by the five-speed Sadev sequential gearbox. The front axle is modified (wishbones, arms and tie rods), and the rims go from 16 to 17 inches to accommodate the front discs increased to 330 mm in diameter. Finally, three-way Bos shocks replace the non-adjustable models to better adjust the chassis according to the road profile or weather conditions.

These changes have a cost: 76,000 € HT for our Clio Rally 4, against 42,000 € HT for the little sister Clio Rally 5. The gravel version climbs to 78,000 € HT (longer shock absorbers, different differential ramps, casings of additional protection, 15-inch rims), but there are obviously conversion kits to move from asphalt to gravel (€ 12,000 excl. tax) or vice versa. In addition to the classic options (headlight ramp at € 2,200 excluding tax, cornering lights at € 1,150 excluding tax, additional wheel pack, etc.), Renault Sport offers a Track Connect application developed by Michelin which informs in real time, on a smartphone, the pressure and temperature of the tires during a timed special. Ideal for anticipating overheating or detecting a slow puncture before a bad surprise. Price: € 400 for the unit with four tire sensors, then € 50 for the additional sensor. Essestial !

Driving

Despite its familiar dashboard cover, this Renault Sport no longer has much to do with a production Clio RS Line. It offers very enveloping buckets anchored at ground level, a small steering wheel full of controls and two large rods, within easy reach, one for changing gears, the other for actuating the hydraulic handbrake. After a starting procedure worthy of a rocket take-off, I set off for round trips of about 3 km on the course of the hill climb of Irancy (Yonne).

To the right of the steering wheel, two levers: one for changing gears, the other for pulling the hydraulic handbrake.

Without knowledge of the route and despite the wise advice of my luxury co-pilot (Jean-Sébastien Vigion, hope Échappement 2004 and which took part in the development of the Rally 4), I did not lead wide during the first meters. But the Clio is the type to hold hands: smooth steering, healthy reactions and even assisted braking which does not require you to tap the pedal like a deaf person to enjoy slowdowns worthy of the name. ” It’s a big advantage in the long stages “ assures Jean-Seb ‘little nostalgic, at least on this point, of his years in Super 1600 from which he emerged a little’ broken “ long lap times.

This ease of handling does not spoil the purity of sensations, because the balance of this Clio is an enchantment in turns. Very responsive, the car is placed with a slight swipe of the steering wheel, tightens its trajectory with the relief of the accelerator then comes out forcefully, with impeccable traction, without suffering from parasitic torque effects in its precise rudder. Compared to the Peugeot 208 Rally 4 tested previously, it is however on the engine side that the major differences appear.

Faced with the Peugeot 1.2 l three-cylinder block, the 1.3 l Renault four-cylinder provides better extension, pushing hard and long up to 6500 rpm when its rival seemed to run out of steam after 6000 rpm. The torque is nevertheless present from low revs, ensuring a wide range of uses particularly suited to rallying. Unlike more pointed naturally aspirated engines, the turbocharged unit of the Clio indeed allows small errors or hesitation, because it starts again without the slightest downtime on re-acceleration. Fearsome for the pros… and less crippling for beginners, as your prudent servant can now confirm.

Balance sheet

Difficult to familiarize yourself with the limits of a rally car on a small closed road, a fortiori when it allows such high passage speeds in bends and over bumps. There is no doubt that its powerful engine and its great ease of driving will become serious assets during the timed stages, as shown by its first victories in the French and European Championship against rivals in the same category (Opel Corsa, Peugeot 208 or Ford Fiesta Rally 4…). Enough to predict him a nice success despite the absence of an official brand cut, reserved for the little sister Clio Rally 5. The jackpot for its winner under 28? A sports program behind the wheel of the Clio Rally 4 of course!